The chief of Israeli military intelligence, Major General Aharon Haliva has resigned, citing responsibility for the shortcomings leading up to Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the Major General will retire once his successor is chosen.
General Haliva admitted in a letter that his intelligence directorate failed to meet its obligations.
In his resignation, the General wrote:
“I carry that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after night. I will carry the horrible pain of the war with me forever. Everything I did during my service in the IDF was for the sake of the people of Israel and the State of Israel.”
However, this resignation marks the first departure of a senior figure following the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.
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Israeli military and intelligence officials overlooked or disregarded numerous warnings before hundreds of Hamas fighters breached the Gaza border fence, launching attacks on nearby Israeli communities, military bases, and a music festival.
The assault resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians, and 253 individuals taken hostage and transported to Gaza, according to Israeli reports.
In response, Israel initiated its most intensive military campaign in Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of the hostages.
In a statement released by the IDF on Monday, it was announced that Major General Haliva had requested to step down from his position, citing his leadership responsibility as the head of the intelligence directorate for the events of October 7.
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Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry “to thoroughly, comprehensively, and precisely investigate and uncover all the factors and circumstances that contributed to the challenging events.”
The territory’s Hamas-run health ministry stated that more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly children and women have been killed in the conflict.